Book Lists

Celebrate Black Joy

with these picture books

Add a little joy to your shelves with these vibrant picture books that offer readers a chance to experience the richness of Black culture through captivating illustrations and heartfelt narratives celebrating community, art, family, imagination, self-expression, and love.

 

Featured Titles

We Are Joy

We Are Joy

Chrystal D. Giles

The #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of Stacey’s Extraordinary Words and the critically acclaimed author of Take Back the Block join together to create this heartwarming, empowering celebration of Black joy!

We are joy—showing off our moves and tick-tocking to the drumbeats
of our created culture—the culture that moves the world.

Carnival Queen

Carnival Queen

Donette Williams-Harry

A joyful Carnival book for kids ages 3-7 about the power of community, with vibrant illustrations and back matter introducing traditional holiday celebrations all around the world.

Join Kayla, Mommy, and Granny as they get ready for Carnival, the biggest party of the year!

Dream Street

Dream Street

Tricia Elam Walker

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST CHILDREN’S BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES • FIVE STARRED REVIEWS

Visit a truly special street bursting with joy, hope, and dreams. Inspired by the neighborhood where they grew up as cousins, this gorgeous picture book from an award-winning illustrator and critically acclaimed author is the perfect gift or keepsake for every generation.

Haircut Day with Dad

Haircut Day with Dad

Monica Mikai

This touching picture book takes a look at the beautiful relationship between a Black father and son when they spend the day at a barbershop. Perfect for Father’s Day or all year round!

Haircut day is just for me and Dad. We wake up early and grab breakfast to go. Our hair has grown out and we still look fly, but it’s time to visit the barbershop.

Family Feast!

Family Feast!

Carole Boston Weatherford

From the award-winning author and illustrator of Standing in the Need of Prayer comes a joyous picture book about an intergenerational Black family cooking a delicious feast and appreciating their quality time together.

Aunts, uncles, cousins, all pitch in.
Hustle, bustle in the kitchen.

Catching up, shooting the breeze,
sharing stories and recipes.

The Gathering Table

The Gathering Table

Antwan Eady

The author of Nigel and the Moon delivers a joyful picture book about how a Southern family gathers around a special table for year-round celebrations that highlight the importance of family, community, and coming together.

NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

In my family,
there are traditions.
And my favorite—
happen around this table.

I'm So Happy You're Here: A Celebration of Library Joy

I'm So Happy You're Here: A Celebration of Library Joy

Mychal Threets

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Dubbed “the Internet’s librarian”— and now host of the relaunched Reading Rainbow — Mychal Threets invites all to take a look and find themselves at the library! Perfect for little readers who are regular visitors and those who might be stepping into the stacks for the first time.

Welcome to the library!

Let It Shine!

Let It Shine!

Carole Boston Weatherford

From the Newbery Honor-winning author of Box: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom comes a joyful picture book set to “This Little Light of Mine.” With a unique jacket and case cover, it’s the perfect gift for all of life’s milestones.

This little light reflects
an everlasting flame:
Hope that was passed down to you
by those who overcame.
A new sun is rising.

Let's Clap, Jump, Sing & Shout; Dance, Spin & Turn It Out!

Let's Clap, Jump, Sing & Shout; Dance, Spin & Turn It Out!

Patricia C. McKissack

“Part songbook, part research text, this work is perfect for families to share together or for young scholars who seek to discover an important piece of cultural history.”— School Library Journal, starred review

From Newbery Honor winner Patricia C. McKissack and two-time Caldecott Honor winner Brian Pinkney comes an extraordinary must-have collection of classic playtime favorites.

Maya's World

Maya's World

Andrea Pippins

A young artist is eager to share her colorful artwork but when the rainbow she creates causes confusion among her classmates, she must overcome self-doubt in this empowering picture book about embracing the artist in you!

My Neighborhood

My Neighborhood

Delano Brown

A vibrant and lyrical picture book that follows two brothers on a journey through their inner-city neighborhood, showing off the beauty and life lessons to be found within.

My neighborhood ain’t perfect, but it’s more than flashing lights seen on the six o’clock news.

Poppy's Family Recipes

Poppy's Family Recipes

Lauren Semmer

Learn about the joy of making homemade meals! Written and illustrated by the New York Times bestselling illustrator of The ABCs of Black History, this picture book shows that cooking can be fun, especially with your loved ones! This book also includes two distinct jacket and case designs that make it the perfect gift.

Tar Beach

Tar Beach

Faith Ringgold

CORETTA SCOTT KING AWARD WINNER • CALDECOTT HONOR BOOK • A NEW YORK TIMES BEST ILLUSTRATED BOOK • ONE OF THE ATLANTIC‘S 65 ESSENTIAL CHILDREN’S BOOKS

Acclaimed artist Faith Ringgold seamless weaves fiction, autobiography, and African American history into a magical story that resonates with the universal wish for freedom, and will be cherished for generations.

Together We Are Sunshine

Together We Are Sunshine

Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

In this heartwarming celebration of sisterhood, three girls explore the natural world and discover the harmony of being the littlest, middle, and oldest sister.

Two Artists, Grandad and Me

Two Artists, Grandad and Me

Charnelle Pinkney Barlow

A young girl spends a magical day in her grandad’s painting studio, discovering the joy of art, music, and the special bond they share. By the granddaughter of legendary Caldecott Medal-winning children’s book illustrator Jerry Pinkney.

Step into the warm, jazz-filled world of a young girl and her artist grandad, as she learns about her grandad’s paintings and discovers the joy of creating her own art.

Wash Day with Mama

Wash Day with Mama

Monica Mikai

This stunning picture book takes a joyful look into the loving and long process of a hair wash day and the beautiful bond between a daughter and mother. Perfect for Mother’s Day or all year round!

I love Sundays, because Sundays are wash days. And wash days are just for us.

Becoming Vanessa

Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Bedtime Bonnet

Nancy Redd; illustrated by Nneka Myers

Black-Eyed Peas and Hoghead Cheese

Glenda Armand; illustrated by Steffi Walthall

Black Hands

Carole Boston Weatherford; illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

Born Ready

Jodie Patterson; illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow

Cool Cuts

Written and illustrated by Mechal Renee Roe

Curve & Flow

Andrea J. Loney; illustrated by Keith Mallett

Double Bass Blues

Andrea J. Loney; illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez

Down on the Bayou

Glenda Armand; illustrated by Alleanna Harris

Happy Hair

Written and illustrated by Mechal Renee Roe

The Green Piano

Roberta Flack with Tonya Bolden; illustrated by Hayden Goodman

Harlem at Four

Dr. Michael Datcher; illustrated by Frank Morrison

Harlem's Little Blackbird

Renee Watson; illustrated by Christian Robinson

Ice Cream Man

Glenda Armand and Kim Freeman; illustrated by Keith Mallet

I'm Growing Great

Written and illustrated by Mechal Renee Roe

KINDergarten

Vera Ahiyya; illustrated by Joey Chou

The Last Stand

Antwan Eady; illustrated by Jerome & Jarrett Pumphrey

Little Rosetta and the Talking Guitar

Written and illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow

Love, Lah Lah

Nailah Blackman; illustrated by Jade Orlando

Mama's Home

Shay Youngblood; illustrated by Lo Harris

Marley and the Family Band 

Cedella Marley with Tracey Baptiste; illustrated by Tiffany Rose

Me and the Boss

Michelle Edwards; illustrated by April Harrison

Mirandy and Brother Wind

Patricia McKissack; Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

Most Perfect You

Jazmyn Simon; illustrated by Tamisha Anthony

Nana Akua Goes to School

Tricia Elam Walker; illustrated by April Harrison

Nana's New Soul Food

Will Power; illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

The Night Market

Seina Wedlick; illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read

Rita Lorraine Hubbard; illustrated by Oge Mora

The People Could Fly: The Picture Book

Virginia Hamilton; illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon

Ramadan Rain

Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow; illustrated by Aliaa Betawi

Repeat After Me

Jazmyn Simon and Dulé Hill; illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice

Space for Everyone

Seina Wedlick; illustrated by Camilla Sucre

That Is My Dream!

Langston Hughes; illustrated by Daniel Miyares

What Is Given from the Heart

Patricia C. McKissack; illustrated by April Harrison

Why Not You?

Ciara and Russell Wilson, with Janay Brown-Wood; illustrated by Jessica Gibson

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